Chapter 20 : Beyond the Darkness

I stood in the middle of the dark corridor, breathing slowly, trying to grasp what was happening. I knew that going back was no longer an option. I had chosen to face this, and now I had to deal with the consequences of my decision.

I took a step… then another. The darkness around me felt alive, as if it moved with me, watching my every breath. Yet, I was no longer as afraid as before.

Then, suddenly, the darkness started to fade, as if an invisible curtain was being pulled back, revealing what had been hidden all along.

I saw shapes appearing before me… faces… shadows moving slowly. I felt like I knew some of them, but my mind refused to believe it.

And then—I froze.

Among those shadows… I saw myself.

It wasn't just a reflection… it wasn't an illusion. There was another version of me, standing in the darkness, staring at me with glowing blue eyes.

A shiver crawled down my spine, but I didn't move. I knew this moment was crucial, and if I ran now, I would never uncover the truth.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

She smiled… or rather, I smiled.

Then she whispered, her voice soft yet cutting through me like a blade:

"I am you… but without the lies."

To be continued...